Elite vs. Illuminati — What's the Difference?

In political and sociological theory, the elite (French élite, from Latin eligere, to select or to sort out) are a small group of powerful people who hold a disproportionate amount of wealth, privilege, political power, or skill in a society. Defined by the Cambridge Dictionary, the "elite" are "those people or organizations that are considered the best or most powerful compared to others of a similar type."American sociologist C. Wright Mills states that the power elite members recognize other members' mutual exalted position in society.

The Illuminati (plural of Latin illuminatus, 'enlightened') is a name given to several groups, both real and fictitious. Historically, the name usually refers to the Bavarian Illuminati, an Enlightenment-era secret society founded on 1 May 1776 in Bavaria, today part of Germany.

A group or class of persons considered to be superior to others because of their intelligence, social standing, or wealth

Literally, those who are enlightened

A member of such a group

Persons in the early church who had received baptism; in which ceremony a lighted taper was given them, as a symbol of the spiritual illumination they has received by that sacrament.

The best or most skilled members of a group

Members of a sect which sprung up in Spain about the year 1575. Their principal doctrine was, that, by means of prayer, they had attained to so perfect a state as to have no need of ordinances, sacraments, good works, etc.; - called also Alumbrados, Perfectibilists, etc.

A size of type on a typewriter, equal to 12 characters per linear inch.

Members of certain associations in Modern Europe, who combined to promote social reforms, by which they expected to raise men and society to perfection, esp. of one originated in 1776 by Adam Weishaupt, professor of canon law at Ingolstadt, which spread rapidly for a time, but ceased after a few years.

Of high birth or social position; aristocratic or patrician.

An obscure sect of French Familists;

Representing the choicest or most select of a group.

Any persons who profess special spiritual or intellectual enlightenment.

A special group or social class of people which have a superior intellectual, social or economic status as, the elite of society.

Someone who is among the best at a certain task.

(typography) A typeface with 12 characters per inch.

A choice or select body; the flower; as, the élite of society.

See Army organization, Switzerland.

A group or class of persons enjoying superior intellectual or social or economic status

Selected as the best;